Running vs Cycling

Lots of people switch from running to biking due to repetitive injuries. Not sure what info you need.....just get a bike that fits and ride it within your limits. Take it easy at first until you're totally comfortable with easy rides, spinning in the lower gears. Although you may have good aerobic capability for running, biking uses different muscles.

Dan

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by schizcat
Hoping someone can help me. I was running about 25 - 30 miles a week (avg 5 miles a day). I have developed tendentitas in both feet and running and walking is very painful. I am looking for a way to equal out my running by cycling until my feet heal up. I dont wanna stop all together and become lazy. Hoping someone can get me some info.

Running is the heroin of activities, in my opinion. I ran like a madman between the ages of 18 and 21. (The years I was a Marine) and I wrecked myself. It was very hard to give up running. I switched to cycling and it has proven to be the most rewarding experience of my life. I am not saying you should quit running, but when your desire to run supercedes physical integrity, a degenerative process sets in that could very well cause chronic physical problems. When that happens, serious depression is likely to occur in any athlete. Be careful and remember to rest.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by schizcat
Hoping someone can help me. I was running about 25 - 30 miles a week (avg 5 miles a day). I have developed tendentitas in both feet and running and walking is very painful. I am looking for a way to equal out my running by cycling until my feet heal up. I dont wanna stop all together and become lazy. Hoping someone can get me some info.

I made the switch this past summer. You are in for some treats.

Although not a heroin-like activity, biking has it's own rewards over running. For one thing (once you build up some sport specific muscles) you are going to be in cardio mode for hours. Instead of a good run taking you say ~40 minutes, you'll be on the bike averaging ~16mph for two hours or more. Plus (if you are lucky) there will be altitude challenges in your area.

With climbs to peaks and pedaling for hours, expect to see a lot more of the area you live in. I was out today and the 2000ft climb was not bad at all; with spectacular vistas and burning legs I was ecstatic. So with running you may have the edge of an internal zen, cycling brings you out into the world.

The downside is cost, and perhaps danger. Instead of $100 for shoes every six months, you'll need to stomach a grand just to get started with a decent bike and gear. Upgrading and tweaking can be a sort of fun hobby, but nothing is as cheap and easy as running.

As for the danger, a lot depends on the road conditions and the mental state of drivers in your area. It takes a while to get used to having cars zip along right next to ya'.

Cycling isn't necessarily injury free but if you start out with sensible mileage and try to "spin" your first six months (or everafter some would argue) rather than "push" hard gears you'll be keeping the knees and ankles etc healthy.

Have fun and welcome to the sport =)

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by schizcat
Hoping someone can help me. I was running about 25 - 30 miles a week (avg 5 miles a day). I have developed tendentitas in both feet and running and walking is very painful. I am looking for a way to equal out my running by cycling until my feet heal up. I dont wanna stop all together and become lazy. Hoping someone can get me some info.

I'm also a runner -- not running at the moment due to tendinitis in my right knee. But I have also switched to cycling (for now, though I'm hoping for another marathon in January).

First, you must do all cycling seated. To heal tendinitis, you have to stay away from weight-bearing exercise. No getting out of the saddle for any reason, period. (This irritates me to no end because I think it's a helluva lot easier to do hills standing, since I have all those runner's muscle hanging around.)

Secondly, although cycling offers excellent cardiovascular benefits, you will lose the muscles you use for running unless you use them. I would suggest some weight training on the legs to supplement so you don't lose what you already have. Maintaining that will make it easier to start back into running.

Yes, it's not cheap. I've spent over $600 just retro-fitting my MTB so I can use it with clipless pedals on a trainer, as well as buying the necessary cycling gear for outdoor riding this time of year... and I bought the cheap stuff. Expect to spend more if you plan on buying a road bike (I'm holding off on that until January).

Good luck healing that tendinitis.

I used to run 60-80km a week which thinned te cartilages on both knees and both ankles. I stopped running and gained a lot of weight. I thought that was the end of running for me.

Doctors and physical therapists prescribed made-to-order arch supports (I'm flat-footed) and I read up on the right gear (for running, know if you need motion control, stability, or cushioning shoes).

Through cross or multi-sport training (machine rowers, elliptical trainers, stair climbers, swimming, spinning and a weight lifting program designed with my injuries/weaknesses in mind) and a re-scheduling of my diet (I actually ate the right stuff, just at the wrong time--mostly at night) I steadily dropped 50lbs to go within 10lbs of my weight when I did 60-80-km running weeks.

A few months back, I did my first triathlon. A few weeks back, I did my first metric century. On Sunday, believe it or not, I'll join a 10km run. I'm not at all competitive in any of the events but I don't care, I just want to finish the races...which justifies a little eating binge after. 😄

Net:

1--You are on the right track considering an alternative sport so you get to use other muscles, ligaments, etc.

2--Check your weight. The tendinitis may not be from running per se but may in fact be from running too heavy.

3--Complement your favorite sport (running or biking) with a well-thought out weight lifting and stretching program.

4--And have fun!